October 2024 HCS Parent/Community Newsletter

Hopkins County Career and Technology Center is receiving a $60,000 donation from the GE Aerospace Foundation to provide more workforce training opportunities in our area!

The donation will expand the new Machine Tool career pathway program, which started this year. It will provide more equipment, tooling, and curriculum, and cover the cost of industry certification exams for students. This donation will help the region build a stronger manufacturing workforce. The purpose is to teach students the skills needed by local industries. 

"This support will enable us to significantly expand our Machine Tool program, providing students with the latest technology and hands-on training that will better prepare them for high-demand careers in manufacturing and engineering,” said HCCTC Principal Pamela Todd. “This investment is not just in our program, but in the future of our students and our community." 

The Board of Education has also contributed funding for equipment and electrical upgrades. We are excited to see what’s next for our students and are proud of this amazing partnership! To learn more, go to https://geaerospace.com/workforce,

 A huge “thank you” goes out to GE Aerospace Foundation for this donation! We appreciate our community partners!

Early voters in Hopkins County will receive a special “I Voted” sticker created by a local student! The artwork, which features an eagle with the words “I Voted!!!!” was created by Addy Wells. She was named a finalist in the statewide “I Voted” sticker contest sponsored by the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.

Hopkins County Clerk Keenan Cloern has printed 3,000 stickers with Addy’s design. They will be given to people who participate in early in-person voting on Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2. 

Addy, a 6th grader at James Madison Middle School, was surprised with the news during the Board of Education meeting on Monday. What an awesome surprise! Cloern said she plans to continue this tradition for future elections.

The City of Madisonville has announced the winners of the 2024 Hay Bale decorating contest. Congratulations to the school winner - Pride Elementary Courtyard of Curiosity! Their design features a Dr. Seuss theme. The hay bales will be up through the end of October at Mahr Park Arboretum.

Collaboration and team-building took the spotlight in our schools on Oct. 18 for Future Ready Friday!

Future Ready Fridays empower students to embrace the characteristics of being a Future Ready Graduate. This was the second Future Ready Friday, and students worked together on a variety of projects including building towers, creating timelines, and learning to communicate without talking. The focus for October was the characteristic of Connecting and Collaborating. 

Hopkins County Schools’ chefs are rising to new heights in the kitchens with hot roll training! The latest stage in the “Hot Roll Express” was hands-on training at Browning Springs Middle School. This is the second stage of three for “The Hot Roll Express.” The initial stage was preparing rolls to be evaluated by a team. The team recorded feedback for each school and presented them with their findings. Next, we have stage two where we had an expert on hand to hone our baking skills. The expert was Kiwania Dunlap, who brings 30 years of expertise to our training and kitchens. The schools enjoyed the training and appreciated gaining vital skills to improve their baking game. 

The next and last stage of the ”Hot Roll Express” is set for December 4, with a final evaluation called the “Roll Rumble.” A champion will be crowned once the scores have been tabulated.

The STORM Youth Service Center and mental health counselors at Hopkins County Central encouraged mental health awareness and support through a special week of activities! On one day, students were given bracelets or keychains with encouraging messages as a reminder of the importance of taking care of mental well-being. This was part of the school’s activities planned around Mental Health Awareness Week.

Author Chandler Greenwell read her book, “If You Are Still Feeling Blue,” to young students at Pride Elementary School last week, encouraging them to reach out if they need help.

Students responded enthusiastically to the presentation. Greenwell is a prevention specialist with the Pennyroyal Center, which provided copies of the book to Pride students in kindergarten through 2nd grade.

“I hope to encourage them that there’s strength in asking for help when you need it,” she said. “Even when you don’t see a physical ailment, that doesn’t mean you’re not hurting. You don’t have to be a professional to be helpful when it comes to mental health. You can always be a connector to help. That’s true for absolutely anybody at any age.” 

“True North,” a specialized program to help Madisonville North Hopkins High School students and parents with college and career planning, held its kickoff meeting recently. The program offers assistance with resume building, interview practice, college visits, co-ops and internships, FAFSA, college and job applications, community service projects, ACT prep, and more. This program is part of the implementation of the Community Schools program at MNHHS. More than 50 students and family members attended!

The Anne P. Baker Gallery at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts presents “Clothed in Beauty: The Art of Melanie Hofmann and Dawn Moore,” a vibrant array of paintings by two Hopkins County Schools elementary teachers. This exhibit will be on display until November 16, 2024.

Both artists draw inspiration from the natural world, creating vivid paintings honoring its beauty and complexity.

“Being in nature brings a sense of joy and tranquility that is often elusive in our fast-paced lives,” said Moore. “Through my work, I strive to capture and celebrate the magnificence of creation, infusing my pieces with vibrant colors, bold patterns, and rich textures.”

Hofmann was similarly motivated as she created pieces with the exhibit’s theme in mind, many intended to “capture God’s beauty through nature.”

The Anne P. Baker Gallery is located inside the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts on the campus of Madisonville Community College. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours on Glema Center event days. Gallery admission is free. For more information regarding this exhibit visit GlemaCenter.org or contact Toby Roberts at 270-821-2787 or Toby.Roberts@kctcs.edu.

The stage at Hopkins County Central was turned into a historic living cemetery earlier this month for the presentation “Voices of Hopkins County.” 

“This is essentially a reenactment of people who have a prominent contribution that they’ve given to Hopkins County,” said choral director and drama teacher Kelly Oliver. The variety of characters include a murderer, an actress, a governor, and more. “Students auditioned and they were assigned roles.”

The HCCHS drama department presentation was offered in partnership with Hopkins County Genealogical Society, the Historical Society of Hopkins County, and Reid Walters Funeral Home.

The Madisonville North Hopkins High School Marching Maroons are the West Regional Quarterfinals Champions! MNHHS competed in the Class AAAA Semifinals on Oct. 26, at South Oldham High School. They advanced to the State Finals later that day at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium at the University of Louisville, and placed 5th. Congratulations to all!

The Madisonville North Hopkins High School Lady Maroons soccer team has won the Regional Championship! The team advanced to the Elite Eight level of the KHSAA State Championship. Congratulations to all the players and coaches!

Fancy Nancy characters and superheroes abounded at West Hopkins School during a recent event! Family Engagement Night, with a theme of Fancy Nancy & Superhero, offered crafts, photo opportunities, and refreshments. Each student received a free book to take home, which promotes a love of reading.

Hanson Elementary 2nd graders each got to screen print their own shirt! Shawn Manfredi, owner of MadCity Screen Printing, created a special T-shirt design for the students. He explained how his love of creativity led him to open his business. Students were excited to hear how he started his business and make the connection that one day they, too, can use creativity to shape their careers! What a great way for students to explore deeper learning by Connecting and Collaborating with this community business! 

Jesse Stuart Elementary students got an up-close look at a variety of job fields during the school’s annual Career Fair on Thursday! We appreciate the many community partners who make these kinds of events possible!

320 S. Seminary St.

Madisonville, KY 42431